Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Sesons of Tomorrow, Amish Vines and Orchards, Book 4



Fourth and final book of Amish Vines and Orchards Series
 
 
 

Book Descripution: As love restores Rhoda, a sudden tragedy is the test of faith she never saw coming.
 
More settled in her heart than ever before, Rhoda Byler feels a newfound confidence living in the Old Order Amish settlement she helped establish in Orchard Bend, Maine. Time has helped to heal the wounds of Rhoda’s recent severed relationship, and she finds that even her unusual gift of profound intuition is less of a burden as she continues to seek God’s wisdom for her future. She is happy to be working alongside the King family and the love of her life as they tend and nurture the settlement’s orchard.



Yet when Leah King’s involvement with Englischer Landon Olson becomes known outside of the Maine community, her disregard of the Ordnung could threaten all the Orchard Bend Amish are building. In the midst of addressing the discord, a shocking tragedy challenges the young settlement like never before, threatening to uproot Rhoda’s peace and the future of everything she holds dear.

When several members of Orchard Bend Farms are displaced, the estranged King brother is called upon to return. Can those who founded the new Amish community in Maine unite Or will the lingering pain of past hurts and present struggles result in the end of their dreams?

My Review:
Seasons of Tomorrow is a great tale of an newly established Amish community . You read about the lives of four couples living at Orchard Bend Farms in Maine. They are working the canning season and harvest while struggling to make a go of the community. Rhonda Byler finds herself part of a new Old Order Amish settlement, where she is a horticulturist. She has recently broken up with her boyfriend Jacob and has started dating his brother Samuel King. Jacob has to return to the Orchard to help out when Phoebe and Steven Byler’s lives meet tragic circumstances. In the mean time Leah Byler falls in love with Englischer Landon Olson. This book is action packed, fast paced and full of drama. The couples of this community deal with the challenges of living in a strict Amish community while facing the temptations of the world the live in. The struggles they face are similar to those faced by new Christians wanting to live a life that is pleasing to God.

I am a big fan of Amish Fiction but this is the first I have read by author Cindy Woodsmall. I found this book to be well written, with characters that pull you in. Seasons of Tomorrow is book four of a series but it can be read by itself but would be much better read as part of the hold series. The author intertwined the stories of the three other books in this one so it was easy to know what was happening. I have not read the other three but plan on reading them as soon as I can my hands on them. I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest option. I recommend this book to all that love Amish Fiction and Christian Fiction, I give it 4 stars.

I want to give a high-five to the author Cindy Woodsmall and publisher for bringing compelling Christian books that are entertaining and give hope to the reader with stories of faith. Blogging for Books provided me with this book in exchange for my honest review and I am so grateful for their, the authors and publishers generosity.


 
Amish Vines and Orchards WCPL take two                  


Thursday, April 24, 2014

Love in the Wind by Elizabeth Goddard

Love in the Wind by Elizabeth Goddard

Book Description: SAILING IS MADDIE CRAMER’S ESCAPENow she’s counting on it to bring her closer to the biological father she’s just met. But her chances of winning the regatta—and his approval—are in jeopardy unless she can find a new crewmate. Enter Grady Stone, a perfect fit for Maddie’s crew in more ways than one.
Maddie and Grady grow close as they spend time together on the water. But Maddie, wary of emotional entanglement, guards her heart closely. And Grady’s here only to help Maddie win the race, then he’s off to a new job. The day of the race will test their ability to sail together—and the trueness of their love.

 


My Review: Love in the Wind by Elizabeth Goddard

Maddie Cramer’s world has been turned around for the longest time. She finds out her dad isn’t really her dad, her parents move away, she meets her biological father for the first time and her five person crew for the regatta is missing one man. Grady Stone is to take Taylor’s place on the team to repay an old debt and had every intention of leaving to start a new life and job right after but he’s falling hard for Maddie. Because of all the emotional upheaval in her life, Maddie guards her heart but Grady is causing the walls to crack. This is a compelling story of trust and honor. The author Elizabeth Goddard did on terrific job of bringing faith into this story. It is well written, with heartwarming characters. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 stars.

I want to give a high-five to the author Elizabeth Goddard and publisher for bringing compelling Christian books that are entertaining and give hope to the reader with stories of faith. I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and I am so grateful for the authors and publishers generosity. 


Latest Releases


 

 

 

About the author:   Elizabeth Goddard is the Carol Award winning author of over a dozen romance novels. Elizabeth is a member of ACFW, RWA and Faith Hope and Love, the inspirational chapter of RWA. She has served in various capacities for all three organizations, including as board member of her local RWA chapter. Elizabeth graduated with a B.S. degree in computer science and worked in high-level software sales for several years. You can read more about her at ElizabethGoddard.com


Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Bodyguard Reunion by Margaret Daley



Book Description:

REUNIONS CAN BE DEADLY
Teaming up with an old flame is not what bodyguard Chloe Howard would call a smart move. Nine years ago Chloe and T. J. Davenport worked on a case together, fell in love, then went their separate ways. Now she's reunited with the fearless bodyguard to protect a controversial couple on a book tour through Texas. And the reunion reminds Chloe of dreams best forgotten. She knows she has to keep her emotions in check so their clients' protection remains their top priority. Protection that is the only thing keeping them from falling prey to a stalker's deadly schemes.

My Review: Bodyguard Reunion by Margaret Daley

Chloe Howard and T.J. Davenport were a couple nine years ago but family oblations and careers got in the way. They each went their separate ways, only to find themselves working together to protect Paul and Mary Zimmerman. As the author’s go on a book tour they meet danger at every corner. The Zimmerman’s lives are turned up side down and Chloe and T.J. are thrown together doing their best to leave the past in the past and be professionals. Bodyguard Reunion is part of the Guardians Inc. Series but is also a stand along book. The author Margaret Daley does an outstanding job of incorporating the Christian message into the story line. Bodyguard Reunion is sure to keep you at the edge of your seat with mystery and action around every corner, and a touch of romance will have your heart melting. If you are anything like me you will have a difficult time putting this book down. It is well written, with heartwarming characters. I highly recommend this book. I give it 5 stars and can’t wait to find the other books in the series I missed.

 

About the Author: http://www.margaretdaley.com.

Other books:
Ladies of Sweetwater Lake (Love Inspired series): Gold in the Fire, A Mother for Cindy, Light in the Storm, When Dreams Come True, and Tidings of Joy
Fostered by Love (Love Inspired series): Once Upon a Family, Heart of the Family, Family Ever After, Second Chance Family and Together for the Holidays
Helping Hands Homeschooling (Love Inspired series): Love Lessons, Heart of a Cowboy, and A Daughter for Christmas
A Town Called Hope (Love Inspired series): His Holiday Family, A Love Rekindled, and A Mom’s New Start
Heart of the Amazon Series (Love Inspired Suspense series): Heart of the Amazon, Buried Secrets, and Forsaken Canyon
Guardians, Inc. (Love Inspired Suspense series): Christmas Bodyguard, Protecting Her Own, Hidden in the Everglades, Christmas Stalking, Guarding the Witness and Bodyguard Reunion.
The Men of the Texas Rangers (romantic suspense series from Abingdon Press): Saving Hope, Shattered Silence, Scorned Justice and Severed Trust.
Caring Canines (Love Inspired series): Healing Hearts and Her Holiday Hero.
 

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Is satan doing the happy dance

 1 Corinthians 15:55-58  “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

 

 At the cross, can you see Satan doing the happy dance. He must have been celebrating, giving high five’s to all those around him. But his victory was short lived. God turned what looked like a victory for Satan into defeat when Jesus rose from the dead. You see death is no longer a source of dread or fear. Christ overcame it and one day you will too. The law of the Old Testament that makes us sinners because we fail to keep it no longer holds us bound. Jesus paid the debt for that. He defeated death, we have hope beyond the grave.

Prayer: Father in heaven how it must have hurt You to see Your Son suffer so. Thank You for allowing it to save me. Father I am a frail sinner but Jesus is everything I need. At any given moment He gives me strength, shelter from the storm, courage to face the day, inspiration to rise above anything that comes my way. He enables me to go forth, carries me on His wings of love so that I can make any adventure you have in store for me. I love you and pray in Jesus name.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Rise & Shine by Sandra D. Bricker Blog Link-Along: Post #2




Welcome to Rise & Shine

 

By Sandra D. Bricker

 

Meet Shannon her Aunt Mary, Aunt Lora and Aunt Lonna



Shannon







2005: Imagine a chance to slip away from the office, phones and busyness of life. Take a journey across the deep blue sea to Bega Lagoon, Fiji. The sand sparkles, there is a warm breeze and as the palm trees sway to the sound of soft music Not only has Shannon arrived in secluded paradise she has married her beloved Edmund. This is where Shannon finds herself in August of 2005 starting her honeymoon. As Rise and Shine starts they are enjoying breakfast, having enjoyed magical massages and now are preparing to go diving. But a tragic accident would forever change the course of their lives.

Today: “Once upon a time, in a charming land called Austin, an exquisite princess with fire-red hair slipped into a deep sleep. Her prince held vigil at her side, hoping and praying that she would one day open her beautiful emerald eyes again . . . “



  Shannon Malone wakes up from a coma after almost ten years. Shannon knows she is coma survivor and a widow but she is so much more. She doesn’t remember much about whom she was but with time she slowly begins to discover and remember things about her life. As Shannon struggles to learn this new world, a world with many changes she discovers still loves old TV shows. Hart to Hart, The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, My Fair Lady, Funny Girl, and Friends are still favorites but she has also developed a new love for Castle. Shannon knows she loves to read. In fact she still enjoys Emma by Jane Austin and the biography about Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln’s Battle with God. Her mother had passed down her love for books with books like Jane Eyre, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Anne of Green Gables, Little Women, Pride and Prejudice. And of course her Doctor Seuss collection, Cat in the Hat . . . One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish . . . and even all these years later Green Eggs and Ham could still make her heart sing.


  She enjoys pizza and burgers but has a new love for cooking gourmet food. She learned to make spinach fandango, salmon with ginger glaze, chili rellenos casserole and corn salsa. So she’d developed a new appreciation for interesting cuisine and a taste for strong coffee. She loves old recipes like the one passed down from Grandma Malone for small cheese and egg omelets baked into muffin tins, served warm with blueberry compote and tender, flaky biscuits.
Just like any princess she loves the color purple. Shannon and Aunt Mary talk about as a little girl how she loved purple and had to have a purple room and for her fifth or sixth birthday she had to have a purple tiara because purple was a royal color and every princess should be surrounded in purple. She knows she was a graphic designer but is not sure where it was she worked or if that was something she would go back too.

  Shannon knows she used to like water but since the accident she has a fear of water. She also knows she had a strong faith in God at one time. And now has a deep desire to make God her everything once again.




And they Lived Happily Ever After

“She opened the book and flipped to the last page, just to make sure the snoozing princess actually had a happy ending. Spotting the magic words, happily ever after, she sighed. “Well, that’s a relief, at least.”


Aunt Mary, Aunt Lora, and Aunt Lonna



Shannon has three good fairies. They are her three aunts who have made her well-being and care their main concern, especially her favorite aunt, Aunt Mary. She has loved and given Shannon a happy home. Aunt Mary has been actively involved in her care all those years, always believing Shannon would wake. She continued to help care for Shannon through her recovery, allowing her to cry, laugh and support her. Aunt Mary even cares for her when she returns home and into the big bad world. She joins Shannon on her first wild ride in a car as she relearns to drive. Prepares her house for her and makes her a cross stitch of her favorite scripture, Jeremiah 29:11 “ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Quote: “Aunt Mary?” she blurted, and an unexpected wave of relief washed over her. She remembered this woman. Pushing herself upright, she took a closer look. “Aunt Mary, you look terrible! Are you sick?” Mary chuckled and touched her turkey neck. “No, dearie. I’m not sick. I’ve just aged since the last time you saw me.”


Then she has the twins, Aunt Lora, who is tiny and round with jet-black hair with a face that looks like she’s been sucking on something really sour. Aunt Lonna looks more like Aunt Mary, only tiny and round like Lora. When she smiles, her eyes disappear into straight slits across her face.
Quote: “Your other aunties live in Phoenix now,” Mary explained as she toddled about the bed tucking in the corners of Shannon’s clean bed sheet. “They’ll come as soon as they can and stay at my house for awhile.” “Lora and Lonna,” she piped up triumphantly. “Yes! They both squealed like children on Christmas morning when they heard the news. We’re so happy to have you back with us, Shannie.”




You need to read this great book to see if Dr Daniel’s kiss wakes Shannon and if they find their happily ever after. You will find inspiration, romance, quirky characters and amusement around every corner. I love Sandra D. Bricker books, they are always so light hearted and fun. She takes a serious situation and puts a positive light on it. I think I fall a little more in love with her books the more I read. In fact I have never found one that I did not like because I have found all of them fantastic. I give this book a high five, great job. It is well written with characters that are enthusiastic, inspiring and full of life. I highly recommend this book to anyone searching for a compelling Christian book that is entertaining and gives hope to the readers with stories of faith. You can find Sandra D. Bricker on FaceBook. Check out her many incredible books, there is one or more sure to please you.